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 1911 help! 
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 Post subject: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:55 pm 
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I am currently in the market for a 1911. Share you stories, preferences, opinions etc. All the research I have done has done nothing but make the final choice harder. :bang:

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:46 pm 
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Heh heh.

Let's start with two basic questions:

1) What are you going to use it for (carry, competition (and if this, which one), target...)?
2) How much do you want to spend? :twisted:

That's the blessing and curse. You can get into a decent run of the mill one for $600-$700 new, no problem. Then again, you can drop thousands....

-Mark


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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:00 pm 
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Ugh! Decisions like this are the worst. :lol:

My criteria that I used when looking for my 1911A1 was (in order of importance);

1. Dependability
2. Warranty
3. Customer Service
4. Turn around times (if I should have to send it in for repairs)
5. Price

The base models of Springfield Armory's "GI" and "Mil-Spec" models give you the best of just about everything, including lower purchase cost.

Read my signature below. :wink:

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The only downfall to a 1911A1, is actually a plus: You can have it your way, and can put an unreal amount of money into em'.

Squeeze trigger, BANG, repeat. Kind of boring, but I never cared for drama.


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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:34 pm 
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mrokern wrote:
Heh heh.

Let's start with two basic questions:

1) What are you going to use it for (carry, competition (and if this, which one), target...)?
2) How much do you want to spend? :twisted:

That's the blessing and curse. You can get into a decent run of the mill one for $600-$700 new, no problem. Then again, you can drop thousands....

-Mark


The main use of the firearm would be hobby and or competition at the later date, I would probably never carry it, but once I am a sworn officer there is a chance of it being my duty gun as well. I just want the best gun for my dollar so the cost is also still up in the air.

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:54 pm 
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I have owned (and currently own) several -- a brief bit of commentary.

Springfield Mil-Spec
- Own one, parkerized.
- I'm at around 400 rounds. Not a single malfunction.
- If I was going to carry this regularly, I'd add night sights.
- Using Wilson Combat Magazines
- It's a bit heavy for a non-LEO carry weapon

Kimber Custom CDP II (5")
- Own one, bought used
- Several FTF / FTRB issues when first got it. Wound up replacing/tuning the extractor, putting in Wolff extra-power springs
- Since then, no issues - at around 1200 rounds myself.
- Using Wilson Combat Magazines
- Nice weight for a carry weapon.

Kimber Ultra CDP II (3")
- Own one, bought new
- Couple FTF issues during break-in period. not unexpected.
- Since 500 rounds through the tube, no issues (this is the Kimber breakin period)
- Using Wilson Combat Magazines
- Very nice weight for a carry weapon.
- No accuracy problems with shorter barrel

If I was looking for a possible duty weapon as a law enforcement officer, I'd probably look at the Springfields -- but a couple steps up from the Mil-Spec line just to get the default night sights, etc. I have alot of respect for the Wilson Combat and Nighthawk lines - but they're twice as much as something comparable from Wilson.

B

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:56 pm 
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I would definately give fusion a look. http://www.fusionfirearms.com/ Mine should be done in a couple of weeks. Long wait but may be the best value for the dollars spent. I carry a Wilson Professional everyday and like that one a lot also but the I did not care for the price so I waited and bought used one. Good luck in your search. Be warned the 1911's can be addictive and multiply quickly for some folks. :oops: :D

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:11 pm 
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jaysong wrote:
Be warned the 1911's can be addictive and multiply quickly for some folks. :oops: :D

Addictive my ass! It's a disease! :twisted: :lol: :wink:

My wallet keeps arguing with my wife since it decided that I 'really need' another, nicer' 1911A1. :twisted:

For some reason though, my wallet keeps losing. :roll: :bang:

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The only downfall to a 1911A1, is actually a plus: You can have it your way, and can put an unreal amount of money into em'.

Squeeze trigger, BANG, repeat. Kind of boring, but I never cared for drama.


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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:36 am 
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I really like my Baers, but more than some would like to spend.


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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:20 pm 
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jaysong wrote:
Be warned the 1911's can be addictive and multiply quickly for some folks. :oops: :D

And that's what I was afraid of...

Good thing I don't have a wife to argue with my wallet... :oops:

bstrawse wrote:

If I was looking for a possible duty weapon as a law enforcement officer, I'd probably look at the Springfields -- but a couple steps up from the Mil-Spec line just to get the default night sights, etc.
B


Are the mil-Spec models a good base to start off of?

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:23 pm 
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Sounds like you should rent a few. Or wait for Bill's Shooter's Show next month and shoot a bunch for free.

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:33 pm 
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Or I could suggest a 1911 day at one of the indoor ranges and we could all have achance to show off our various versions. I;ve got a 45, 40, 9mm and 38super folks could test drive.


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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:59 am 
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3Crowns wrote:
Are the mil-Spec models a good base to start off of?

Yes they are. While they're made using mil-spec tolerances and standards, they do come with several improvements over the "GI" model.

A couple improvements I can think of are;

Front and rear sights are a little taller than the "GI" model.
Ejection port is lowered and flared.

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The only downfall to a 1911A1, is actually a plus: You can have it your way, and can put an unreal amount of money into em'.

Squeeze trigger, BANG, repeat. Kind of boring, but I never cared for drama.


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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:24 am 
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Here's a quick comparison.

WWII GI Model:
small ejection port
low profile GI sights
lanyard loop on mainspring housing
vertical cocking serrations on slide

Mil-Spec:
stainless barrel and bushing
loaded chamber indicator
lowered and flared ejection port
high profile 3-dot sights
beveled magazine well
angled cocking serrations on slide

I would probably not buy a GI model -- but I like my Springfield Mil-Spec very much.

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:48 am 
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DeanC wrote:
Or wait for Bill's Shooter's Show next month and shoot a bunch for free.

I did not know about that. Where can I find more info about that?

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 Post subject: Re: 1911 help!
PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:20 pm 
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Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 4:14 pm
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Location: Ellsworth, WI
I have had a couple old military Colts that got fiddled with by a friend in the eighties, a new late eighties series 70 Colt, a couple parts guns (one of which I still have that's getting closer to reliable slowly) a Springfield Stainless Loaded and my Kimber Carry II. I have liked the Kimber and Springfield the best. Both have devoured several thousand rounds with no failures after the initial break in period. Both are more accurate than I am and will easily hold an 1 1/2 groups at 25 yards. The current parts gun shoots more of a pattern than a group, I can keep the rounds on a pie plate at 25 yards but that's about it which come to think of it will work okay for a defensive gun but I wouldn't want to shoot a match of any sort with it.
One thing to be concerned about is a 1911 trigger ruins you for most DA/SA guns IMHO.

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